On Tuesday 7th July I attended an event hosted by the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Institute of Physics in Parliament and met with some of the scientists who are helping drive the UK economy forward.
I met with scientists to talk about UK success stories from research in both chemistry and physics, where innovations and companies have developed from work that began in university science departments. These successes from the UK’s science base are now creating jobs and economic growth across the UK.
The event highlighted the importance of long-term government funding to science and the benefits it has on the UK economy. The UK science and innovation system produces 15.9% of the world’s most highly cited publications, with only 4.1% of the world’s researchers.
Professor Tom McLeish, Vice-President, Science, at the Institute of Physics, said, "Investing in science and engineering drives economic growth and is at the heart of advances and innovation in healthcare, communications and national security. The UK has a unique, interdisciplinary ecosystem of innovation between global businesses and universities that we must nurture if it is to deliver the innovation-based supply chains, manufacturing and exports of tomorrow.”
It was great to see evidence that physics and chemistry in our universities are producing such innovative results which contribute so much to our economy. There is no doubt that science is an excellent option for young people planning their future career and that when we invest in the future of science, whether it be a school chemistry lesson or a long-term project such as the Large Hadron Collider, Britain sees results in its economy and receives worldwide recognition. I will continue to invite these groups to come and spend time in our schools in South Derbyshire to encourage our students to take up these STEM subjects.